Maybe the cats were batting something around in the breakfast room. No, the cats were sleeping. The intermittent thump continued. Hmmm. Passing through the dining room to check again, this astonishing splash of color flew against the window and then retreated to cling to the hummingbird feeders. I've certainly never seen this bird before!
The fluttering and thumping went on for some time. I tried to get a photo, but scared the bird off into the pine tree where he hid. Checking the bird book, I found this is a Bullock's oriole. Bull-headed is more like it. In just a short while he was back, this time at the kitchen windows, and I grabbed the camera once more.
Odds are he was attempting to do battle with that handsome rival in the glass, but as he banged and clung to the screen it seemed that he wanted
in. I informed him that breakfast was served al fresco under the oak and he had missed it. This new face in town is certainly the most colorful of any of the local birds. I hope he is the vanguard of more to come.
Awoke to rain, wind, and cold this morning...typical April.
